Laundry washing machine



Aug. 7, 1934. E. KNUTSEN LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINE e Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJuly 24, 1931 INVENTOR, E Zmer Knutsen.

A TOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24. 1931 ova INVENTOR, IZmerK'nutsen.%mw.

TOR

Aug. 7, 1934. E. KNUTSEN LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINE Filed July 24, 1931.

6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

INVENTOR, EZmeTKnuisen.

ATTOR Filed July 24, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 S mm( 2 INVENTOR, EZmerKHutsen.

A TORNEK 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 24, 1931 alQl 99 101 lpe INVENTOR,l-ilmev-K'nutsen.

B mw 5 Aug. 7, 1934. E. KNUTSEN LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINE Filed July 24,1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR, E Z mer' Kvnut sen. @m

A TOR [/l/ Ill/l/ll/l/ Patented Aug. 7, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'1 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in laundry washing'machines, andhas for an object to provide a laundry washing machine in the operationof which the unit for identification is the entire family wash ratherthan the individual pieces thereof as is usual.

Another object of my improvement is to provide a unit-family wash basketsuitable for containing the entire family-wash segregated relative tokinds of materials and suitable treat-- ment therefor in the washingprocesses.

Another object of my improvement is to provide a series of unit-assemblywash tubs suited to contain said unit-family wash baskets one at a timein the order of their progression through the several washingsolutionsin. the series of tubs.

Another object of my improvement is to place the series of wash tubs foreach individual class of the family wash in separate lines.

Another object of my improvement is to provide mechanism forsimultaneously moving a group of said unit-family wash baskets in orderby stages through said series of wash tubs, maintaining said unit-familywash baskets as separable units throughout the entire washing process.

Another object of my improvement is to provide mechanism forsimultaneously driving each member of said group of unit-family washbaskets in washing operations, but only when in said wash tubs, saidmechanism automatically engaging and disengaging the unit-family washbaskets as the same enter and leave the wash tubs.

.Another object of my improvement is to provide controllable,simultaneous regular progression in stages of the members of said groupof unit-family wash baskets from the filling station therefor, throughsaid series of wash tubs, thento a station where the contents of saidbaskets may be removed and thence back to said filling station.

Another object of my improvement is to provide for a continuous gravityflow of water through said series of wash tubs-a separate stream foreach line of tubs--said flow beginning in the rinsing tubs andcontinuing through all of the tubs and the varying strength of washingliquids therein and finally flowing from the .soak tubs into the wastepipe.

Another object of my improvement is to provide pipe connectionsincluding stop cocks between the tubs which remain closed during washingoperations but which may be simultaneously opened to empty the tubs whenso desired.

I attain these and other important objects of my invention with themechanism illustrated in the accompanying six sheets of drawings whichform a part of this specification in which Figure 1 is a plan view ofthe front part of my washing machine to the broken and bent line a-a,Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rear part thereof from said line 11-01. tothe rear end thereof, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the front part ofthe machine to the broken line bb, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of therear part of the machine from said line bb to the rear end of themachine, Fig. 5 is a lateral cross section elevation 7 of the machine onthe dotted line 5-5 of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a plan view of a short part ofone of the conveyor chains drawn on a larger scale, the remainder ofwhich is brokenaway, showing the special shaft-holding device usedthere- 7 on, Fig. 7 is a side elevation of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a plan viewof two lines of the four-line series of wash tubs, drawn on a smallerscale, Fig. 9 is a side elevation of Fig. 8 showing the ends of saidtubs, Fig. 10 is a portion of Fig. 5 drawn on a larger scale, Fig. 11 isan end elevation of one of the unit-family wash basket groups drawn on alarger scale, and Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of themechanism used to convey'the wash basket groups from wash tub to washtub.

Similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.Certain parts are broken away to show other parts hidden thereby.

With more particular reference to the designated parts: The side framesof the supporting frame work consist of horizontal, perpendicular andbrace bars which in general are designated by numeral 11, top crossframe bars 12 and bottom cross frame bars 18 tie said side framestogether. Channel bars all, all are fastened to the tops of the sideframes and provide guides and supports for two conveyor chains.

Within the frame thus constituted the wash- -ing machine is erected.

Four parallel inclined longitudinal bars 46, 46, 46, 46 are fastened tothe machine frame spaced apart and disposed in two pairs and betweeneach pair of which is fastened one row of double tubs altogetherproviding four lines" of wash tubs consisting of eight tubs in eachline. The double-tub row between each pair of bars preferably being asingle tub divided by a partition, and the two double tubs that is, fourtubs in a transverse row between said two pairs of bars constitute theunit tub assembly. Beginning at the front end of the machine theseparate tubs in unit assemblies are designated As shown, wash tubs 14,18, 22, 26, 30, 34,-

38 and 42 are in line longitudinally of the machine. Also in similarparallel lines are wash tubs 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39 and 43; 16, 20,24, 28,-32, 36, and 44; and 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 3'7, 41 and 45. Also, asshown, the inclined lines of tubs beginning with lowest tubs 14 and 17are disposed at the sides of the machine and the tubs of these two linesare shorter than are the tubs of the two intervening lines of tubs I thelowest of which are shown at 15 and 16.

The entire group being considered as a bank of tubs.

Each unit tub assembly has upwardly open bearings centrally disposed inthe top edges of the ends of each double tub thereof in the same axis.The inclined lines of double tubs illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 have saidbearings at e14, (115; a18, (119; (122, e23; e26, e27; (130, a31; a34,1135; 1138, 1:39; a42, e43 in the ends of tubs 14, 15; 18, 19; 22, 23;26, 27230, 31; 34, 35; 38, 39; and 42, 43, respectively. Likewise, theother inclined line of double tubs, the lowest tubs of which are at 16and 1'7, have similar bearings, similarly disposed but not particularlyshown.

Each of the stepped lines of tubs has its individual line of pipeconnections providing for an individual gravity how of liquidstherethrough. Said liquid flow enters the highest tub of the linethrough a pipe individual thereto, passes through each of the next lowertubs in turn and leaves the line from the lowestv tub through an outletpipe individual thereto. The inlet pipe for highest tub 43 is at 48, theinlet pipes for highest tubs 44, 45 and 42 are at 49, 50 and 47,respectively.

The pipes connecting the adjacent tubs in each line are quite similarand each is designated by number 51. Each of connecting pipes 51 leavesfrom the bottom of one of the tubs near one end thereof and enters theside of the next lower tub near the other end thereof determining thewater level for that tub from the bottom of which it leaves. This is therule for all of said pipe connections for the tubs except for lowesttubs 14, 15, 16 and 1'7, which, not having lower adjacent tubs, havetheir outlet pipes 51rise to a'height at goose neck 52, determining thewater levels in said lowest tubs, and then turn down to join sewerconnection 53, Pipe 52 is vented at 1152.

The water levels for lineof pipes 1442 are shown in Fig. 9 by dottedlines c-c, dd, e-e, f-f, gg, h-h, ii and a'a' for tubs, 14, 18, 22, 26,30, 34, 38 and 42 respectively. The water levels for the other lines oftubs are not particularly shown but preferably, the water level in eachof the four. tubs of each unit tub assembly are the same. Liquidentering each of said lines of tubs at the highest tub thereof cannotflow into the tubs of other lines but will continue to flow from. highertub into lower tub of said line till it flows from the lowest tubthereof.

Bypass pipes 54 are provided to connect the lowest parts of pipes 51 andeach bypass pipe includes a stop cock therein having a handle shown at55. All of the stop cock handles in each line are pivoted to a singlerod 56 which in turn is pivoted to hand lever 57. The closed positionsof the stop-cock handles are shown in full lines and the open positionsthereof in dotted lines. When lever 57 is in its full-line position allof the cocks are closed and no liquid passes through the bypass pipes,this is the position during washing operations. But by moving handlevers 57'to their dotted position all of the stop cocks are opened andthe liquid in all of the tubs will flow through the bypass pipes directinto the sewer connection, thus leaving the tubs empty.

Each of the double tubs, as stated, is divided by a water-tightpartition 102 the top of which is not higher than the bottoms of thesaid bearings in the ends of the tub. I These partitions are properlydesignated in Fig. 8 and are similar in all of the tubs. No attempt wasmade to attach designating characters'to said tub partitions in Figs.land 2 because of the closeness of the drawings, but they are clearlyshown in these plan views.

The unit family basket group reserved for the wash of one familyconsists of four opentop, foraminous laundry baskets 58, 59, 60 and 61,all cylindrical in shape of equal diameter and fastened spaced apart onshaft 62 which is disposed in the axes thereof. Because the averagefamily wash consists of pieces of fabrics of different materials andcolors requiring different kinds, strengths and temperatures of washingfluids, the four baskets referred to are provided in each family unitbasket group. Also, these different materials and colors vary inquantities relatively to about the same degree in different familywashes, so that in practice it is found desirable to use baskets ofdifferent lengths in the family unit. As shown, baskets 58 and 61 areshorter than are baskets 59 and 60 and the former are placed at the endsof shaft 62 with the latter intervening thereon. The openings in thebaskets provide access to the interior thereof and require no cover;they are clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and some of them are designatedat 1158, d59, d60 and (161 in Fig. 2. Preferably in the bottom of eachbasket are fastened longitudinal baflie plates 103 as shown in Fig. 11.

,Fastened on each basket shaft 62 are two rocker shoes 63 disposed nearthe ends thereof and pendant therefrom.

Two horizontal channel bars 64 extend lengthwise of the frame near theends of the tubs and vertically beneath rockers 63, when the basketgroups are in operative position in the Bars 64 are fastened, channelsup, to chairs 65 which are fastened to frame cross bars 13, see Fig. 5.These bars serve as roller races for rollers a64, mounted on which arethe channeled lower members 66, 66 of stepped beams the upper members ofwhich are pairs of steps disposed to provide bearing -for one of rockers63 when its shaft 62 is in one of the tub bearings adjacent but notcontacting with the bottom thereof. The construction provides for theoscillation of all basket groups, which by construction may occupy thetub assemblies, by the shaft of electric motor '78 whereby the rapidlyrevolving motor rotor may drive shaft at a desired slow rate. Said wormand worm wheel gears are enclosed in gear casing 79 and are not shown.On each end of shaft 80 is fastened a crank disc 77 to which is pivotedone end of a connecting rod 76 the other end ofwhich is pivoted to abearing in the front end of one of said stepped beams shown at 1166, theconstruction providing for the slow reciprocation of said stepped beamsby electric motor '78, whereby the baskets are slowly oscillated.

There are two inclined, parallel lifting bars 81, 81 disposedlongitudinally of the machine one being proximate to each of the outerends of the rows of tubs. Each of bars 81 is mounted for reciprocativerevolution on the wrist pins of three cranks 83. Cranks 83 are fastenedon the ends of three transverse shafts 84 which are mounted forrevolution in bearings on frame beams 46, 46 which support the outerends of the tub assemblies. Shafts 84 are disposed between adjacent tubassemblies and do not intervene to prevent the free movement of thebasket assemblies in and out of the tubs.

A central longitudinal shaft 86 is mounted for revolution between thedivided tub assemblies in bearings in gear cases 85, 85, 85 which arefastened to central frame beams 46, 46 supporting the inner ends of saiddivided tub assemblies. Said transverse shafts 84, 84, 84 also passthrough the gear cases 85, and each shaft 84 has a worm wheel fastenedthereon within the gear case through which it passes. Also, shaft 86 hasa worm fastened thereon within each of gear cases 85 engaged with theworm wheel on one of shafts 84 therein. Said worm gears are not shown.The construction provides for the driving of crank shafts 84 by shaft 86at reduced speed. Shaft 86- also passes through gear case 87 and has aworm wheel fastened thereon-within said case. The shaft of electricmotor 88 enters said gear case 8'7 and has a worm fastened thereonengaged with said worm wheel on shaft 86. The gears within case 8'7 arenot shown. The construction provides for slowly driving central shaft 86by electric motor 88 whereby crank shafts 84 are yet more slowlyrevolved.

Thus, when motor 88 is activated lifting bars 81, 81 are moved inreciprocative revolution by cranks 83 meanwhile being retained inparallel relation thereby.

On the topedge of each of lifting bars 81 are nine pillow blocks 82spaced apart oppositeeach other on the two bars. The spaces between thepillow blocks equal those between the end bearings in the wash tubs, andthey are disposed to engage the basket group shafts, when in the foldsthereof and further adapted to bear on tub hearings, on approaching thesame from below. The first pair of pillow blocks 82, 82 at the front andlowest ends of bars. 81, 81 pass forward of the row of lowest tubs 14,15, 16, 17 but the second pair of said pillow blocks 82, 82

engage with any basket shaft in the bearings of the said first or lowestrow of tubs 14, 15, 16, 17 when approaching the same from below moved bythe forward revolution of cranks 83, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4. And theother pairs of pillow blocks 82, 82 in order toward the rear engage anybasket shafts in the tub hearings in order toward the rear; thus, eachpair of said pillow blocks may be occupied by a shaft from the tubbearings except the pair on the front ends of the lifting bars firstreferred to.

A pair of shafts 89, are mounted across the top of the frame forrevolution in bearings fastened on upper side frame bars, and on theends thereof are fastened pairs of sprocket wheels a89 and a90respectively. Over said sprocket wheels are disposed a pair of conveyorchains 91, 91 engaged therewith the upper folds of which may move in andbe supported by frame channel bars all, all. Particular conveyor linkswith engaging means thereon, shown in Figs. 6 and 7, are included insaid chains at spaced intervals opposite each other in the pair ofchains. Each of said engaging means consists of holding lugs 99projecting outward from the link to which they are fastened being-joinedtogether by bridge piece a101. Dogs 100 are pivoted for oscillation onbolt b100 which is extended through a link engaged with the link towhich lugs 99 are fastened. Dogs 100 are joined together by bridge c100and have tails. c100 thereon at right angles therewith adapted forbearing on channel bars all to hold the dogs at right angles with thechain when on the upper stops 101 to hold said dogs at right angles withsaid chain when they are on the lower folds of the chain as opposed toforces actingfrom the front but to swing on bolts blOO when opposed byforces acting from the rear. As seen in Fig.- '1, three dotted positionsof the end elevation of basket shaft 62 are given at 62" where it isbearing against dog 100, at 62" where it is passing beneath the dogwhich is in dotted position 100' with the tail thereof at (1100', andat'62' where it bears against lug '99 and allows the dog to return toits full-line position to prevent the movement of the shaft from betweenlug and dog. In practice the dog moves over the shaft which is thenstationary. But the relative relation is easier shown by assuming theshaft as moving beneath the dog as above given.

Conveyor chains 91 move in the directions-indicated by arrows in Figs. 3and 4.

Segmental guards 97, 97 are fastened on the front end of the frame atthe top thereof in front of sprocket wheels a89, a89, spaced aparttherefrom only to allow lugs 99 and dogs 100 to pass between. The lowerends of the guards 9'7 serve as supporting brackets and each has arecess a9? in the top surface thereof near its lower end to receive andtemporarily retain the ends of the basket shafts in a positionhereinafter referred to as the front waiting station for unitwash-basket groups.

Segmental guards 98, 98 are fastened to the rear end of the frame behindthe rear edges of sprocket wheels 1190, a90 and are spaced apart fromthe sprockets only to allow the lugs 99 and 151 dogs 100 to passtherebetween. They prevent the shafts from passing over the ends of thelugs and becoming disengaged therefrom when being carried upward betweenthe sprocket wheels and said guards. The lower ends of the guards 98also serve as brackets to support and retain the ends of basket shafts62 as at 627', Fig. 4. This position for a basket group is hereinafterreferred to as the rear waiting station for said baskets.

The front end of shaft 86 is extended into the gear case 93 and has aworm c186 fastened on the front end thereof within the gear case.

Countershaft 92 is mounted for revolution-in bearings on the frame atthe front end thereof and has one end extended into gear case 93 whereit finds a bearing and has worm wheel a92 fastened on said end engagedwith said worm a86. The other end of the countershaft 92 has sprocketwheel 95 fastened thereon. Sprocket wheel b89 is fastened on the end ofshaft 89 in chain relation with sprocket wheel 95 and over the two isdisposed chain 96 engaged therewith whereby shaft 92 drives shaft 89through chain 96. That is, motor 88 drives conveyor chains 91, 91 aswell as driving lifting bars 81 as above explained.

In operation: Assume that water continuously flows into each of thehighest tubs, 42, 43, 44 and 45 through pipes 47,- 48, 49 and 50,respectively. In order to make the description definite, assume thatline of tubs 14-42 is .reserved for light colored fabrics, line of tubs15-43 is reserved for white fabric, line of tubs 16-'-44 is reserved forsilks and woolens and line of tubs 1745 is reserved for dark coloredfabrics. Then water entering tub 42 through pipe 47 should be hot, waterentering tub 43 through pipe 48 should be very hot, water entering tub44 through pipe 49 should be luke warm, and water entering tub 45through pipe 50 should be hot. In addition .to the water flowing intotub 43 a small stream of liquid bluing continuously flows thereinto.

Into each of the tubs of tub assembly 26, 27, 28 and 29 a controllablestream of liquid soap flows, each tub having its particular soap supply.The

. tubs of the lowest tub assembly, 14, 15, 16 and 1'7,

referred to as the breaking or suds tubs, receive no particulartreatment except that white clothes tub 15 may require a controllablecontinuous stream of cooling water flowing thereinto and also mayreceive a continuous supply of liquid ammonia from a small controlledpipe. No attempt has been made to illustrate the means used to introducethe detergent, coloring and cooling solutions since a reference theretois sufficient to disclose the method of their application to thoseskilled in the art. It will now be seen that the tub assemblies willcontain soap solutions of increasing strength from the lowest assemblyto the fourth assembly. Also, since soapy water is carried up from thefourth or soap assembly with the clothing being washed, the rinsingwater is increasingly clear from the fifth to the eighth or highest tubas-. sembly; meanwhile, the continuous gravity flow of liquids from thehigher into the lower tubs carries with it into lower tubs some of theparticular solutions from the higher tubs.

Assume that the present operative locations of all movable parts arethose illustrated in full lines.

Assume that electric motor '78 revolves continuously during washingoperations causing stepped beams 66, 67 to reciprocate continuously.There is aunit basket group in each of the tub assemblies and a pair ofrocker shoes bear on each .pair of steps of said reciprocating steppedbeams, so that, all of the eight basket groups in the eight tubassemblies are continuously oscillating in the various washing solutionsin and flowing through said tubs.

In addition to the eight basket groups in the tubs there is one shown ontop of the frame at the front end thereof designated as baskets a58,(159, 1160 and (161 on shaft (162, shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Thisparticular basket group is at the filling station and it is assumed isbeing filled with a family wash which has been separated as to colorsand materials, the light colored clothing being placed in basket a58,the white fabric in basket a59, the silks and woolens in basket (160 andthe dark colored stuff in basket a6l. As shown in Fig. 3 shaft (162bears on dogs 100 the tails of which bear against stops 101 to hold thedogs in their illustrated position, also the shaft is retained on thedogs by guards 97.

Basket group 058, c59, and 061 is on the conveyor chains 91 with shaft062 thereof engaged by one set of lugs 99 and dogs 100. The tails ofsaid dogs bearing on channel beams all retain the same in a holdingposition. As shown, this particular basket group is about midway of themachine on the conveyor chains.

Unit family basket group consisting of baskets b58, Z259, b60, and D61is at the top of the machine at the rear end thereof with shaft D62engaged by a set of the lugs and dogs and bearing on lugs 99 while heldthereon by guards 98. This basket group is at the station for removingthe wash therefrom and is shown as tilted over, by hand, to aid in saidclothing removal. Thus the full equipment of basket groups for aneight-tub assembly machine consists of eleven, eight of which are in thetubs while one is at the filling station, one is at the station wherethe clothing is removed therefrom and one is midway on the conveyorchains.

It will be further assumed that the eight basket groups in the tubs eachhave a family wash therein segregated and divided between the fourbaskets thereof as explained above, and that when the wash was placed inthe baskets a tag designating the particular family to which thewash-belonged was placed in each of the, baskets with the clothing.

With the washing facilities explained the clothing should be in each oneof the eight tubs in line about two and three quarter minutes. Assumethat this amount or period of time has passed and it is desired to moveeach of the basket units to a higher tub. An operative in charge closesan electric switch, not

shown, to activate motor 88 swinging cranks 83 1.

in forward revolution, causing lifting bars 81 to rise beneath thebasket shafts till all of said shafts in the tub bearings are seated inpillow blocks 82 on the same, occupying-all of said pillow blocks exceptthe ones on the front ends thereof which, when cranks 83 and liftingbars 81 are in their dotted-line positions lid shown in Figs. 3 and 4 at83 and 81, respectively, engage with the shaft of the last filled basketgroup, now at'the front waiting station lodged in recesses 1197 ofguards 87 and shown in dotted lines at a58' in Fig. 3. At this time theeight basket groups hitherto in the tubs are now above the same in theirdotted-line positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4 at 58'. Proceeding inforward revolution said cranks carry the lifting bars, with their loadof nine basket groups and clothing therein, upward and rearward till themost rearward basket group thereof reaches the rear waiting station ofits dotted-line position at 58" where its shaft ends bear on the bottomends of guards 98 which retain said basket group. The continued forwardrevolution of said cranks 83 seats the eight basket assemblies in theeight tub groups with the basket shafts engaged in the tub bearings andthe rocker segments on said shafts bearing on the reciprocating stepsbeneath causing the resumption of basket oscillations in the washingliquids flowing through the tubs. Under continued revolution forward ofthe cranks the lifting bars continue to move downward and forward tillthey reach the full-line illustration thereof, or a position nearthereto, when the operative opens the switch controlling motor 88 andcrank and bar motions cease.

The results of the explained single revolution of cranks 83 are: thebasket group last to have wash placed therein has been moved into thelowest tub assembly, each of the basket assemblies hitherto in the tubgroups has been moved into the adjacent higher tub assembly, except thathitherto in the highest tub assembly, which has been suspended on thelower ends of guards 91, at the rear waiting station.

As explained, shaft 86 not only drives cranks 83 but it also drivesconveyor chains 91 which move when and only when the the cranks aremoving. By construction the conveyor chains make only one-fourth of arevolution while the cranks make one revolution.v There are four sets ofthe lugs 99 and dogs 100 equally spaced apart on the chains, and thechains move the length of one of these spaces while the cranks make onrevolution. During the movement of the lifting bars, above described,the newly-filled basket group (158 at the filling station was movedtherefrom into the lowest tub assembly. The movement thereof fromrecesses a9? into said tubs already has been described, but before thatthe moving conveyor chains had carried it from the filling station intosaid recesses. Also during said movement of cranks and lifting bars theconveyor chains carried basket group 058 from midway of the upper loopthere-' of to the filling station, carried basket group 1258 from theremoval station to midway of said upper loop, and carried the basketgroup at 58" to the removal station.

Thus it is clear that when the cranks and conveyor chains cease to moveit is found that during their movement each of the basket groups hasbeen moved one stage: those in the tubs have each been moved into thenext higher tub, except the one in the highest tub which has been movedup to the removal station on the chains, and those on the chains eachhas been moved one quarter the length thereof except the one at thefilling station which has been moved'therefrom into the lowest tubs.

'The cycle of operations of the machine consists of the period duringwhich the cranks and chains are at rest and the basket groups in thetubs are oscillating therein, known as the washing period, and theperiod during which said cranks and chains moving and .all of thebaskets are out of the tubs known as the transfer period. A completecycle requires about three minutes of which, as stated, the washingperiod is about two and three-quarter minutes.

It is now apparent that the family wash or bundle idea is preservedthroughout the washing process. The family wash being removed from thesame group of baskets, after washing thereof is finished, into whichtheywere placed at the beginning as soiled clothes.

Also, the bundle idea is preserved after the clothes pass from thewashing machine to other operations thereon.

From the removal station each family bundle is placed alone in acentrifugal drier together with the designating tags therewith, carebeing taken to separate the parts of the wash taken from the separatebaskets by placing a piece of canvas therebetween in the drier bowl.From the drier bowl the wash is redivided, certain pieces passing to thehand ironing tables, others to different machine ironers and stillothers are placed alone in one of the drier tumblers described in myPatent Number 1,756,366. With each of the new subdivisions of the bundleone of the designating tags placed therewith at the beginning is added.So that, when the several parts of the original wash come together atthe close of simplifying ownership identification, by shortening thewashing period, by continuous washing operations, by cooperation ofclothing oscillation and flowing water, and by reducing laborrequired';' those skilled in the art will appreciate the operativeadvantages gained by using disconnected basket groups which may at alltimes be individually removed or replaced except when within theconveyor guards. v

Having thus disclosed my invention, what I claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a laundry washing machine, a plurality of horizontal rows of washtubs the rows being in stepped relation providing aligned stepped tubs,a separate fluid supply pipe leading into each of. the tubs in thehighest of said horizontal rows, 9. separate pipe in fluid connectionwith.

the bottom of each of the said tubs and with the top of the adjacentlower tub in the same stepped line therewith, a goose-neck pipe leadingfrom the bottom of each of the tubs in the lowest of said horizontalrows of tubs which after rising to near the top of the said tub isconnected to a drain pipe beneath the bottom thereof, a foraminous washbasket removably mounted for oscillation in each of said tubs, and meansto simultaneously oscillate said baskets while in the said tubs.

2'. Ina laundry washing machine, a plurality of horizontal rows of washtubs, the rows being in stepped relation providing aligned stepped tubs,a separate fluid supply pipeleading into each of the tubs in the highestof tlie said horizontal rows of tubs, a separate pipe in fluidconnection with the bottom of each of the said tubs and with the top ofthe adjacent lower tub in the same stepped line therewith, a gooseneckpipe leading from the'bottom of each of the tubs in the lowest of thesaid horizontal rows of tubs which after rising to near the top of thesaid tub connects with a drain below the bottom of the said tub, aby-pass pipe connecting the lowest parts of each of the said steppedfluid connection pipes between the said stepped tubs with the saiddrain, a stop cock in said by-pass pipe, between each of the said lowestparts of the while in the said wash tubs.

3. In a laundry washing machine, a plurality of horizontal rows of washtubs the rows being in stepped relation providing aligned stepped tubs,a system of fluid supply pipe connections from a source of liquid supplyinto the tops of the highest of the said horizontal rows of wash tubsfrom'the bottom of each of the said wash tubs into the top of the lowertub adjacent thereto and from the bottoms of the tubs in the lowest ofthe said horizontal rows of wash tubs into goose-neck discharge pipesproviding for a separate free gravity flow of liquid through each of thesaid stepped lines of wash tubs with a depth of said liquid in each ofthe said tubs, alined upwardly-open bearings in each of the saidhorizontal rows of tubs, a shaft removably mounted for oscillation inthe said alined hearings in each of the said horizontal rows of tubs, awash basket in each of the said tubs in each of the said horizontal rowsof tubs fastened to the said shaft therein for oscil-. lation therewith,a driving bar mounted for re-- ciprocation outside of and adjacent thesaid rows of tubs beneath a said extended end of the said shaft, meansto reciprocate the said driving bar, and driving means fastened on asaid extended end of the said shaft disposed to contact with and beoscillated by the said reciprocating driving bar when the said shaft ismounted in the said upwardly-open bearings.

4. In a laundry washing machine, a plurality of horizontal rows of washtubs the rows being in stepped relation providing aligned stepped tubs,a system of pipe connections from a liquid supply into the tops of thehighest of the said horizontal rows of tubs and from the bottom of eachof the said wash tubs into the top of the lower wash tub adjacentthereto and from the bottoms of the tubs in the lowest of the saidhorizontal rows of wash tubs into goose-neck discharge pipes providingfor a separate free gravity flow of liquid through each of the saidstepped lines of tubs with a depth of liquid in each of the said washtubs, alined upwardlyopen bearings in each of the said horizontal rowsof tubs, a shaft removably mounted for oscillation in the said alinedbearings in each of the said horizontal rows of tubs having its endsprotruding beyond the same, a foraminous wash basket in each of the saidwash tubs fastened to the said shaft therein for oscillation therewith,means to simultaneously oscillate all .of said wash-basket shafts whilein the said tub bearings, two parallel lifting bars disposed beneath thesaid protruding ends of the said.

basket shafts mounted on parallel driving cranks to simultaneously lifteach of the said basket shafts with the baskets thereon from the saidalined hearings in a horizontal row of wash tubs and carry the'same tothe said alined bearings in the adjacent horizontal row of tubs above,parallel crank shafts mounted for revolution between and parallel withthe said horizontal rows of wash tubs, said driving cranks fastened onthe said crank shafts, and means to revolve one of the said crankshafts.

in stepped relation providing aligned stepped wash tubs, alined upwardlyopen centrally disposed bearings in each of the said horizontal rows oftubs, a plurality of unit wash basket groups each including a shaft andwash baskets fastened thereon spaced apart one of said basket groupsbeing disposed in each of the horizontal rows of tubs with the shaftthereof mounted in the alined bearings and protruding beyond the ends ofthe horizontal row of tubs, a machine frame, a pair of supportingbrackets fastened on the machine frame disposed above the said highestrow of horizontal tubs for supporting the said protruding shaft ends ofa said unit wash basket group providing a rear waiting station for thesaid basket group,v

parallel shafts mounted for revolution in bearings on the said machineframe disposed between and parallel with the horizontal rows of tubs,parallel driving cranks fastened on the ends of the said parallelshafts, two parallel lifting bars mounted on the said driving cranksbeing operated thereby disposed beneath the said protruding basket shaftends, operating to simultaneously lift each of the wash basket groupsfrom a horizontal row of tubs and place the same in the adjacenthorizontal row of tubs above to carry a basket group from a frontwaiting station and dispose the sanie in the lowest horizontal row oftubs and to lift a hasket group from the highest horizontal row of tubsand dispose the same at a rear waiting station therefor, means torevolve one of the said parallel shafts, a conveyor chain transfermounted in bearings on the said machine frame disposed above the saidwash tubs engaging a said unit wash basket group, being supported on thesaid brackets at the said rear waiting station, and moving the same onto the said supporting brackets at the said front waiting station, andmeans to drive the said conveyor chain transfer.

6. In a laundry washing machine, a plurality of horizontal rows of washtubs the rows being in stepped relation providing aligned stepped washtubs, a system of pipes from a source of liquid supply connected witheach of the said wash tubs providing a separate free gravity flow ofliquid through each of the'said stepped lines of tubs, a plurality oflaundry wash basket groups including a shaft and baskets fastenedthereon spacedapart, a frame, an endless chain conveyor mounted on thesaid frame over the stepped lines of wash tubs operating longitudinallythereover adapted to carry a plurality of the said wash basket groupsover the said stepped lines of wash'tubs, conveyor means tosimultaneously carry a plurality of the said wash basket groups movingeach one thereof from one end of the said chain conveyor through eachhorizontal row of wash tubs from the lowest thereof to the highest andplacing the same on the other end of the said chain conveyor, means tosimultaneously operate the said chain conveyor and the said conveyormeans providing periods of pause in the said operation while some of thesaid wash basket groups are in the said wash tubs and others thereof areon the said chain conveyor, and means to simultanestand pipe drainoutlet being disposed for retaining a depth of fluid in each of the saidlowest tubs, a separate pipe in fluid connection with the bottom of eachof the tubs and with the top of the adjacent lower tub in the steppedline therewith, aligned upwardly-open shaft bearings in each of the saidhorizontal rows of tubs, a shaft adapted for oscillation in the saidaligned bearings in each of the said horizontal rows of tubsandhaving'ends extended beyond the ends of the said rows of tubs, aplurality of foraminous laundry baskets spaced apart and fastened oneach of the said shafts, each basket being separately disposed foroscillation in one of the said tubs while the said shaft is mounted inthe said aligned bearings, means for oscillating all of the said shaftsand the said baskets thereon in the said tubs simultaneously while thesaid shafts are mounted in the said aligned bearings, meansfor'simultaneously moving all of the said shafts and the said basketsthereon from lower to higher horizontal rows of tubs, and means forseparately moving the said shafts and the said baskets thereon from thesaid highest to the said lowest horizontal row of tubs.

ELMER KNUTSEN.

